How to Be a Megastar Tour 2.0.

People either hate Blue Man Group or they love them. I think they’re amazing.

Three drummers, not counting the three Blue Men, Three Lead Guitarists, a bass player and a keyboardist. Tracy Bonham provided additional vocals and killer violin.

The basic story: The Blue Men order “Ronco’s How to Be a Megastar 2.0” and use the information contained in the disk to turn themselves into “Megastars.” In case you missed it when I was reviewing the makeup of the band, this is a percussive performance. They. Rock. Out. We were sitting in the nosebleed section of the Pepsi Center in Denver and our chests were still thumping. I’m not sure I could have handled seats that were closer. This show is meant to overload your senses. You are bombarded sound and sight. It’s electronic and tribal at the same time.

Through music, stage magic, comedy, the omniprescent video backdrop screens, instructions from the Megastar Disc, and no small amount of rewriting rock history, The Blue Men work their magic to give us “the feeling.” If you’ve ever been caught up in a rock show, you’ve had “the feeling.” If you haven’t…shrug.

Some creative “Mobkasting” via text messages added even another layer to the show. You could text message the show for $1.99 and the show text messaged you throughout the evening. This made for some interesting looks from people around me as I was texted instructions to “Lead your section in yelling like a Cowboy.” “Shout “FREEBIRD” at the top of your lungs right now.” and a series of trivia questions that got you, “To the roof.” You didn’t miss anything important if you didn’t mobkast, but it was fun. The trivia questions made me realize yet again that I have a head full of completely useless information.

This was the first time I’ve had a chance to see them live. It was worth it. I’m a Roof-Dweller. By study and practice I’m a Jung over Freud kind of guy to begin with. Jung is all through the imagery of the show. This isn’t a terribly difficult concept show. It’s very simple. Through work, entertainment, and technology, we’re becoming LESS connected. The masks we wear are becoming more real to us than us.

I have to mention their tribute to 9/11. Very simple. Very touching. Didn’t leave you feeling like you should cry yet again, but left you remembering. I won’t say more about it because you may not recognize it for what it is at first and I think it’s supposed to be like that.

I’m not sure how I feel about the “instructive” portions of the show. Is it really cool that they let people know it’s okay to jump up and down and act like an idiot at a rock show in 2006, or is it really disturbing that we need permission from the performers? Both? I dunno.

Love ya man.